Choosing the Date

Some couples know exactly where or when they’d like to get married. Others are more open – or indecisive! – about their important date. Whatever your situation you’ll want to keep in mind the following as you make your selection:


~ Consider your dream location (for wedding and reception) and contact the venue(s) for availability

~ Are the available dates for both the wedding and reception venue compatible?

~ Are the dates good for you and your fiancé? Do they conflict with school or work schedules?

~Are the available dates good for your potential guests? Do they conflict with holidays (which could be family time)? Would it require them to take time off from work or school? Some holidays work well for guests who need to travel in for the wedding (such as Labor Day or Memorial Day)

~ Will the available dates make securing rentals difficult (for instance finding an available tent over the 4th of July)

~ Is this the peak season for the venue? If so, are you okay with paying more?

~ Saturday is the most popular wedding day, expect higher fees, but it also allows guest more flexibility for traveling

~ Friday evening and Sunday weddings typically costs less

~ Does the available time work for you? Serving lunch or dinner can get expensive. Serving hor d’oeuvres or a brunch is an alternative

~ August, June, and July are the most popular wedding months followed by September, October, May, April, November, December, March, February, and January. Expect higher fees during peak months

~ Do you may have a particular honeymoon destination in mind which may dictate the month/season you select for your wedding date

~ If you are set on a specific look or theme (Mom’s garden with roses in bloom) this will dictate the month you will select and the location

~ If you are hoping to save money on decorations, some venues will already be festooned for certain times of the year – say with poinsettias at Christmas or lilies and palms near Easter

~ Maybe you are set on a particular color scheme, perhaps lilac and spring green, which lend themselves to a spring or summer wedding

~ Some brides are dead-set on hiring a particular planner; make sure he/she is not already booked for the date/time you have mind

Keep in mind, the earlier you plan, the more options you have – the early bird always has the best options!